Travis Pastrana's Gymkhana car revealed – as a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon

Reigning Nitro Rallycross champion and action sports legend Travis Pastrana has unveiled the most unexpected gymkhana vehicle to come from Hoonigan's stable yet – a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon.

Built by Subaru USA's motorsports partner, Vermont SportsCar, the GL Wagon is essentially all-new, with its boxy, retro styling blended in with carbonfibre and engineering nous from AirSlayer, builders of the WRX STI which featured in Gymkhana 2020 and now holds the Mount Washington Hillclimb record.

Starting with an already boxy-looking GL Wagon, the VSC and Hoonigan crew have given it massively flared arches, wide bronze wheels shod in Yokohama tyres, a revised grille, front and rear bumpers as well as roof racks – just in case you need to go sideways on the way to the beach or the alps.

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Plaid stickers down each side show this is definitely a Pastrana car, although it only features a small number of his iconic #199 on the doors and windscreen – subtle for the man who is all about taking things to the extreme.

When it was new, the GL Wagon's 1.8-litre, naturally-aspirated flat-four produced just 53kW and 127Nm – enough to get the 1050kg car moving but not enough to do so in an inspiring manner.

Although Subaru hasn't revealed specifics about the new wagon, it's tipped to be developing a touch under 700kW, all while retaining the design of a flying brick.

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Pastrana will have to best Ken Block at his own game in the Hoonitron v GL Wagon Gymkhana series

Ahead of the 12th Gymkhana video installment, Pastrana said he'll need to up his game to match the boss, as Ken Block is set to make a return to the series he made popular aboard an all-electric Audi Hoonitron.

"Far and away the coolest car I’ve ever driven," said Pastrana on Instagram.

"Ken Block is giving me another shot and I’ll be making the next Gymkhana video with this 83 Subaru GL Wagon. It’s faster and way easier to stay in control while sending it sideways than the Airslayer STI. Shorter wheelbase makes it more agile and the boxy body makes it easier for proximity driving.

"This car should allow me to some higher speed proximity drifts while upping my slower speed technical driving to the bar Ken expects from the Gymkhana Series.. oh, and the Black Rifle Coffee crew will be calling in some friends to help me take this to a 12. Can’t wait to show you more."